A man will face court next month on multiple charges after allegedly assaulting a photographer and making “intimidatory” remarks at a female journalist.
The 19-year-old Sydney man was arrested by police after allegedly scuffling with the female reporter and photographer who were covering a press conference held by controversial far-right Senator Fraser Anning.
Senator Anning was in Cronulla, in Sydney’s south, to announce his candidate for Cook, Peter Kelly and other Senate candidates on Friday morning.
Police confirmed the 19-year-old was detained after a “physical altercation” broke out.
Images from the scene show News Corp photographer Dylan Robinson with his shirt torn and ripped.
Police were later seen loading the 19-year-old alleged attacker into a police wagon after escorting him from the scene.
NSW Police Force said the teenager is alleged to have made intimidatory comments to journalist Eliza Barr, from News Corp’s community newspaper arm.
Police said when a male colleague attempted to intervene, it is alleged he was assaulted by the man.
The photographer had his equipment knocked to the ground and his shirt ripped during the alleged assault, police added.
The man was then arrested and later charged with common assault, intimidation and behave in an offensive manner.
Senator Anning’s supporters attended the press conference and were vocal in their support of the politician.
As the media directed questions at Senator Anning, his supporters chimed in with their own responses, in clear support of Senator Anning’s anti-immigration stance.
Some of the supporters took a dislike to the line of questioning Barr took with Senator Anning.
When the conference ended they proceeded to follow her out of the park.
When the News Corp photographer moved in front of Barr and photographed the Senator Anning supporters, he was allegedly attacked.
Fraser Anning says he condemns the attack at his press conference but says he didn’t see it as he left the area at the time. “The left wing supporters are much more violent than any (supporters from my party)” he adds.
Senator Anning said he had not seen the altercation but said he condemned any violence.
“People do silly things from all walks of life,” he told reporters in a separate press conference later in the afternoon.
The 19-year-old has been charged by police after a scuffle at Senator Anning’s press conference
“And I don’t advocate any violence. I never promote any violence on my Facebook page.
“Some people are crazy I guess they want to attack people if they don’t agree with their views. I can’t speak for those people.”
But Senator Anning insisted “left-wing” supporters were more “violent” than conservatives.
“There are crazy people in all walks of life, both conservative and left wing. We’ve seen what antifa does.
“The left wing supporters are much more violent than any of the supporters that I’ve seen in our party.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has described the attack, which happened in his seat of Cook, as “absolutely appalling”.
“People should be able to go to work, whether you’re a photographer or anyone else, and not be subjected to that sort of violence.”
Mr Morrison reaffirmed that Senator Anning’s party would be placed last on his, and the Liberal party’s ticket on how-to-vote cards.
Senator Anning was in the park to announce three candidates, but the media were barred from asking them any questions.
The 19-year-old is due to appear at Sutherland Local Court in May.